Independent Broker · 8-State Licensed · Zero-Impact Pre-Approval
I'm Duane Buziak, Mortgage Maestro — an independent broker with access to hundreds of wholesale lenders, not one bank's rate sheet. Every application starts with a soft credit pull, so comparing your options never dings your score.
Track Record
15+ years originating loans across Central Virginia and beyond — the numbers behind the name.
Why Work With an Independent Broker
Retail banks and single-lender platforms can only offer what's on their own shelf. As an independent broker, every application is shopped across hundreds of wholesale lenders — the leverage works for you, not for one institution's margin.
Every pre-approval starts with a soft credit inquiry. You'll know your real buying power and estimated rate before anything ever touches your credit report.
Bring your current quote — from a bank, an online lender, anyone. I'll show you, side by side, whether hundreds of wholesale lenders can beat it.
Rate is one lever. I also connect clients with fee-conscious title companies, discount-offering Realtors, and cost-effective insurance — often worth thousands beyond the interest rate alone.
No call center hand-offs. I handle every client relationship personally, including weekends, from first conversation through closing day.
LoanOptimizer — Smart Match
Adjust the sliders to your scenario. This is a planning estimate — your actual offer depends on full underwriting, property state, and live lender pricing the day you lock.
Loan Programs
The two most common paths to a purchase or refinance — here's how they actually compare on the numbers that matter.
| Feature | FHA Loan | Conventional Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | 3.5% (score 580+) | 3–5% (score 620+) |
| Minimum credit score | 500 (10% down) / 580 (3.5% down) | 620 typical, better pricing at 680+ |
| Mortgage insurance | Upfront + annual MIP, often life of loan | PMI, cancellable at 20–22% equity |
| Max seller concessions | Up to 6% of purchase price | 3% (<10% down) / 6% (10–25% down) / 9% (25%+ down) |
| Debt-to-income flexibility | Up to ~50% with compensating factors | Typically capped near 45% |
| Best fit | Lower credit scores, limited savings | Stronger credit, wants to drop MI faster |
What Clients Say
"Duane found us a rate our bank couldn't touch, and the soft credit pull meant we could shop with zero risk. Answered texts on a Sunday during our closing week."
"As a first-time buyer I had no idea what FHA vs. conventional even meant. Duane walked through the real numbers with me instead of just pushing one option."
"We compared three quotes. Duane's was better on rate AND he connected us with a title company that saved another $600 at closing."
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Every initial rate comparison and pre-qualification with Duane Buziak Mortgage Maestro starts with a soft credit pull, which does not appear on your credit report or affect your score. A hard pull only happens once you move forward with a formal loan application.
A bank loan officer can only offer that bank's own rate sheet. An independent broker like Duane shops your loan across hundreds of wholesale lenders simultaneously, so the lender competition works in your favor instead of the bank's.
It depends on the loan type: FHA loans require as little as 3.5% down, conventional loans can go as low as 3% for qualified buyers, and VA loans offer 0% down for eligible veterans and service members. Down payment assistance and grant programs may lower this further.
Duane Buziak (NMLS #1110647) is licensed through Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC (NMLS #376205) in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, the District of Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maryland.
From application to closing, most loans take 30–45 days, depending on how quickly documentation is provided and the complexity of underwriting.
Ready when you are
Mortgage Maestro | NMLS #1110647
Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC | Lower Mortgage Rates
Licensed in: VA, FL, TN, GA, DC, NC, SC, MD
